Pentax Full Frame Teaser Update

pentax full framericoh image company teaser update photo of the new pentax full frame for release in spring 2016
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Crop mode with a choice of three settings

24.12.2015 NEW

The new PENTAX 35mm full-frame digital SLR camera features a Crop mode, which allows you to select the image size to be recorded, with a choice of three settings: AUTO, FF and APS-C. The AUTO setting automatically selects the appropriate image size for the lens mounted on the camera. It selects either a 35mm full-frame image size for D FA- and FA-series lenses, or an APS-C image size for DA- and DA L-series lenses. The FF setting captures all images in a 35mm full-frame image size, regardless of the lens mounted on the camera.* The APS-C setting captures all images in an APS-C image size, regardless of the lens**, while displaying a cropping frame in the camera’s viewfinder.

* In the FF setting, an image outside the APS-C-format picture frame may not be reproduced in sufficient quality with certain lenses and/or in certain situations.
** When an image is cropped to an APS-C image size, the number of recorded pixels is lower, as the pixels in the cropped areas are eliminated.

APS-CFFView large image*The FF setting allows you to use a DA-series lens, with the focal length and angle of view you have become familiar with since the days of film photography. The APS-C setting helps you bring distant subjects in closer, and captures them in larger, more dramatic images. The new PENTAX 35mm full-frame digital SLR camera lets you enjoy two different ways of photographing the same subject with a single lens.
• Lens used: HD PENTAX-DA 560mm F5.6ED AW
• APS-C image data: shutter speed: 1/640 sec., aperture: F8, ISO 400**
• FF image data: shutter speed: 1/640 sec., aperture: F8, ISO 400

ll K-mount lenses are compatible

11.12.2015 NEW

The new Pentax 35mm full-frame digital SLR camera is equipped with an image sensor for 35 mm full-size images and uses the K-mount lens system. The camera is compatible with all K-mount lenses, such as the FA lenses, which can be used with the same angle of view as with 35mm film cameras. As for the APS-C-size image sensor, the DA lens series, the cropping function makes it possible to use the APS-C-size center portion of an image. By changing the settings, you can also choose a 35mm full-frame angle of view. The D FA lens series—which is beautifully suited to digital images—covers all of these capabilities, including, of course, the 35-mm full-size angle of view.

PENTAX new full frame format digital SLR camera

30.11.2015

PENTAX has always been a unique brand of camera. Never one to imitate other makes, PENTAX has stuck to its pursuit of original value to create high-performance cameras used and loved by pros and amateur photographers alike.

Looking back on the history of PENTAX, going back to its origins at Asahi Optical Co., Ltd. The company was established in 1919 as Asahi Optical Joint Stock Co. It manufactured eyeglass lenses and projection lenses. In 1952, the company began camera production with its "Asahiflex I", the first single-lens reflex camera made in Japan. In 1954, this model evolved into "Asahiflex IIB", the first camera in Japan equipped with a quick-return mirror. The "ASAHI PENTAX (AP)", which came out in 1957, was the first camera to come equipped with a pentagonal roof prism —pentaprism— as well as a quick-return mirror. This was the first time the name PENTAX appeared. These models were followed by many other cameras—exclusively SLR—equipped with unique features that were the first of their kind, both in Japan and in the world. In 1964, the "ASAHI PENTAX SP" was the first SLR with TTL (through-the-lens) metering. "ASAHI PENTAX ES", launched in 1971, was the world's first with TTL full-aperture metering, aperture priority and automatic exposure control.

Not all PENTAX cameras used 35 mm film. In 1969, the maker put out the first medium-format SLR with built-in TTL exposure metering that used 6 x 7 format. The camera was aptly named "PENTAX 6 x 7". A medium-format camera using 645 format, the "PENTAX 645" (1984). Not only did PENTAX mobilize the medium-format camera world with 35 mm cameras, but it also launched the first medium-format autofocus camera, "PENTAX 645N" (1997), achieving both high-quality pictures and mobility. The camera has been used and loved by photography lovers of all kinds.

As for digital SLR cameras, in 2003, "PENTAX *ist D" was unveiled as the smallest and lightest weight camera in the world. "PENTAX K100D" (2006) was well-received as the first PENTAX digital SLR to have built-in shake reduction mechanism. The same year, "PENTAX K10D" was released. It had the same functions as K100D as well as the first dustproof and weather-resistant structure, and achieving a reputation for overall excellence in digital SLR camera. It received three major international camera awards: TIPA, Camera Grand Prix 2007, and EISA. In the years that have followed, the maker has continued to release unique cameras, such as the digital SLR with the well-known medium-format 645 mount, "PENTAX 645D".

Coming up in spring 2016.
PENTAX is launching a full frame digital SLR, brand-new format for PENTAX.

Reliability rooted in history and technology, incomparable originality, these are all unique and attractive cameras that only PENTAX can offer. A new chapter in the PENTAX is about to begin.

"PENTAX LX" was launched in 1980 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Asahi Optical. The PENTAX’s first dustproof, weather-resistant replacement-type finder system, direct meter automatic exposure, titanium-blind focal-plane shutters. These features make for SLR cameras of the highest order for professional use.